scholarly journals Measurements of the coupling between the tumbling of rods and the velocity gradient tensor in turbulence

2015 ◽  
Vol 766 ◽  
pp. 202-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Ni ◽  
Stefan Kramel ◽  
Nicholas T. Ouellette ◽  
Greg A. Voth
Keyword(s):  
Strain Rate ◽  
Velocity Gradient ◽  
Strong Dependence ◽  
Joint Probability ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Seeding Density ◽  
Full Description ◽  
Gradient Tensor ◽  
Velocity Gradient Tensor ◽  
The Mean

AbstractWe present simultaneous experimental measurements of the dynamics of anisotropic particles transported by a turbulent flow and the velocity gradient tensor of the flow surrounding them. We track both rod-shaped particles and small spherical flow tracers using stereoscopic particle tracking. By using scanned illumination, we are able to obtain a high enough seeding density of tracers to measure the full velocity gradient tensor near the rod. The alignment of rods with the vorticity and the eigenvectors of the strain rate from experimental results agree well with numerical findings. A full description of the tumbling of rods in turbulence requires specifying a seven-dimensional joint probability density function (jPDF) of five scalars characterizing the velocity gradient tensor and two scalars describing the relative orientation of the rod. If these seven parameters are known, then Jeffery’s equation specifies the rod tumbling rate and any statistic of rod rotations can be obtained as a weighted average over the jPDF. To look for a lower-dimensional projection to simplify the problem, we explore conditional averages of the mean-squared tumbling rate. The conditional dependence of the mean-squared tumbling rate on the magnitude of both the vorticity and the strain rate is strong, as expected, and similar. There is also a strong dependence on the orientation between the rod and the vorticity, since a rod aligned with the vorticity vector tumbles due to strain but not vorticity. When conditioned on the alignment of the rod with the eigenvectors of the strain rate, the largest tumbling rate is obtained when the rod is oriented at a certain angle to the eigenvector that corresponds to the smallest eigenvalue, because this particular orientation maximizes the contribution from both the vorticity and strain.

scholarly journals The kinematics of the reduced velocity gradient tensor in a fully developed turbulent free shear flow

2015 ◽  
Vol 767 ◽  
pp. 627-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Rabey ◽  
A. Wynn ◽  
O. R. H. Buxton
Keyword(s):  
Shear Flow ◽  
Strain Rate ◽  
Velocity Gradient ◽  
Mixing Layer ◽  
Joint Probability ◽  
Strain Rate Tensor ◽  
Gradient Tensor ◽  
Local Isotropy ◽  
Velocity Gradient Tensor ◽  
Kinematic Behaviour

AbstractThis paper examines the kinematic behaviour of the reduced velocity gradient tensor (VGT),$\tilde{\unicode[STIX]{x1D608}}_{ij}$, which is defined as a$2\times 2$block, from a single interrogation plane, of the full VGT$\unicode[STIX]{x1D608}_{ij}=\partial u_{i}/\partial x_{j}$. Direct numerical simulation data from the fully developed turbulent region of a nominally two-dimensional mixing layer are used in order to examine the extent to which information on the full VGT can be derived from the reduced VGT. It is shown that the reduced VGT is able to reveal significantly more information about regions of the flow in which strain rate is dominant over rotation. It is thus possible to use the assumptions of homogeneity and isotropy to place bounds on the first two statistical moments (and their covariance) of the eigenvalues of the reduced strain-rate tensor (the symmetric part of the reduced VGT) which in turn relate to the turbulent strain rates. These bounds are shown to be dependent upon the kurtosis of$\partial u_{1}/\partial x_{1}$and another variable defined from the constituents of the reduced VGT. The kurtosis is observed to be minimised on the centreline of the mixing layer and thus tighter bounds are possible at the centre of the mixing layer than at the periphery. Nevertheless, these bounds are observed to hold for the entirety of the mixing layer, despite departures from local isotropy. The interrogation plane from which the reduced VGT is formed is observed not to affect the joint probability density functions (p.d.f.s) between the strain-rate eigenvalues and the reduced strain-rate eigenvalues despite the fact that this shear flow has a significant mean shear in the cross-stream direction. Further, it is found that the projection of the eigenframe of the strain-rate tensor onto the interrogation plane of the reduced VGT is also independent of the plane that is chosen, validating the approach of bounding the full VGT using the assumption of local isotropy.

Invariants of the reduced velocity gradient tensor in turbulent flows

2013 ◽  
Vol 716 ◽  
pp. 597-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. I. Cardesa ◽  
D. Mistry ◽  
L. Gan ◽  
J. R. Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Strain Rate ◽  
Turbulent Flows ◽  
Velocity Gradient ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Joint Probability ◽  
Strain Rate Tensor ◽  
Gradient Tensor ◽  
Local Isotropy ◽  
Velocity Gradient Tensor ◽  
Asymmetric Shape

AbstractIn this paper we examine the invariants $p$ and $q$ of the reduced $2\times 2$ velocity gradient tensor (VGT) formed from a two-dimensional (2D) slice of an incompressible three-dimensional (3D) flow. Using data from both 2D particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements and 3D direct numerical simulations of various turbulent flows, we show that the joint probability density functions (p.d.f.s) of $p$ and $q$ exhibit a common characteristic asymmetric shape consistent with $\langle pq\rangle \lt 0$. An explanation for this inequality is proposed. Assuming local homogeneity we derive $\langle p\rangle = 0$ and $\langle q\rangle = 0$. With the addition of local isotropy the sign of $\langle pq\rangle $ is proved to be the same as that of the skewness of $\partial {u}_{1} / \partial {x}_{1} $, hence negative. This suggests that the observed asymmetry in the joint p.d.f.s of $p{{\ndash}}q$ stems from the universal predominance of vortex stretching at the smallest scales. Some advantages of this joint p.d.f. compared with that of $Q{{\ndash}}R$ obtained from the full $3\times 3$ VGT are discussed. Analysing the eigenvalues of the reduced strain-rate matrix associated with the reduced VGT, we prove that in some cases the 2D data can unambiguously discriminate between the bi-axial (sheet-forming) and axial (tube-forming) strain-rate configurations of the full $3\times 3$ strain-rate tensor.

scholarly journals Evolution of the velocity gradient tensor invariant dynamics in a turbulent boundary layer

2017 ◽  
Vol 815 ◽  
pp. 223-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Bechlars ◽  
R. D. Sandberg
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layer ◽  
Velocity Gradient ◽  
Evolution Equations ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Turbulent Structures ◽  
Gradient Tensor ◽  
Velocity Gradient Tensor ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Individual

In order to improve the physical understanding of the development of turbulent structures, the compressible evolution equations for the first three invariants $P$, $Q$ and $R$ of the velocity gradient tensor have been derived. The mean evolution of characteristic turbulent structure types in the $QR$-space were studied and compared at different wall-normal locations of a compressible turbulent boundary layer. The evolution of these structure types is fundamental to the physics that needs to be captured by turbulence models. Significant variations of the mean evolution are found across the boundary layer. The key features of the changes of the mean trajectories in the invariant phase space are highlighted and the consequences of the changes are discussed. Further, the individual elements of the overall evolution are studied separately to identify the causes that lead to the evolution varying with the distance to the wall. Significant impact of the wall-normal location on the coupling between the pressure-Hessian tensor and the velocity gradient tensor was found. The highlighted features are crucial for the development of more universal future turbulence models.

scholarly journals Multiscale analysis of the topological invariants in the logarithmic region of turbulent channels at a friction Reynolds number of 932

2016 ◽  
Vol 803 ◽  
pp. 356-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lozano-Durán ◽  
M. Holzner ◽  
J. Jiménez
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Gradient ◽  
Turbulent Channel Flow ◽  
Gradient Tensor ◽  
Velocity Gradient Tensor ◽  
Filter Width ◽  
Strain Components ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Self Similar ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Orbital Periods

The invariants of the velocity gradient tensor,$R$and$Q$, and their enstrophy and strain components are studied in the logarithmic layer of an incompressible turbulent channel flow. The velocities are filtered in the three spatial directions and the results are analysed at different scales. We show that the$R$–$Q$plane does not capture the changes undergone by the flow as the filter width increases, and that the enstrophy/enstrophy-production and strain/strain-production planes represent better choices. We also show that the conditional mean trajectories may differ significantly from the instantaneous behaviour of the flow since they are the result of an averaging process where the mean is 3–5 times smaller than the corresponding standard deviation. The orbital periods in the$R$–$Q$plane are shown to be independent of the intensity of the events, and of the same order of magnitude as those in the enstrophy/enstrophy-production and strain/strain-production planes. Our final goal is to test whether the dynamics of the flow is self-similar in the inertial range, and the answer turns out to be that it is not. The mean shear is found to be responsible for the absence of self-similarity and progressively controls the dynamics of the eddies observed as the filter width increases. However, a self-similar behaviour emerges when the calculations are repeated for the fluctuating velocity gradient tensor. Finally, the turbulent cascade in terms of vortex stretching is considered by computing the alignment of the vorticity at a given scale with the strain at a different one. These results generally support a non-negligible role of the phenomenological energy-cascade model formulated in terms of vortex stretching.

scholarly journals Effects of Lewis number on the statistics of the invariants of the velocity gradient tensor and local flow topologies in turbulent premixed flames

2018 ◽  
Vol 474 (2212) ◽  
pp. 20170706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Wacks ◽  
Ilias Konstantinou ◽  
Nilanjan Chakraborty
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Gradient ◽  
Joint Probability ◽  
Lewis Number ◽  
Gradient Tensor ◽  
Local Flow ◽  
Reaction Progress ◽  
Velocity Gradient Tensor ◽  
Progress Variable ◽  
Joint Probability Density ◽  
Turbulent Premixed

The behaviours of the three invariants of the velocity gradient tensor and the resultant local flow topologies in turbulent premixed flames have been analysed using three-dimensional direct numerical simulation data for different values of the characteristic Lewis number ranging from 0.34 to 1.2. The results have been analysed to reveal the statistical behaviours of the invariants and the flow topologies conditional upon the reaction progress variable. The behaviours of the invariants have been explained in terms of the relative strengths of the thermal and mass diffusions, embodied by the influence of the Lewis number on turbulent premixed combustion. Similarly, the behaviours of the flow topologies have been explained in terms not only of the Lewis number but also of the likelihood of the occurrence of individual flow topologies in the different flame regions. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the joint probability density function of the second and third invariants and the joint probability density functions of the mean and Gaussian curvatures to the variation in Lewis number have similarly been examined. Finally, the dependences of the scalar--turbulence interaction term on augmented heat release and of the vortex-stretching term on flame-induced turbulence have been explained in terms of the Lewis number, flow topology and reaction progress variable.

scholarly journals Invariants of the velocity-gradient tensor in a spatially developing inhomogeneous turbulent flow

2017 ◽  
Vol 817 ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. R. H. Buxton ◽  
M. Breda ◽  
X. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Turbulent Flows ◽  
Velocity Gradient ◽  
Joint Probability ◽  
Shear Layers ◽  
Velocity Fields ◽  
Gradient Tensor ◽  
Drop Shape ◽  
Velocity Gradient Tensor ◽  
Flow Physics ◽  
Joint Probability Density

Tomographic particle image velocimetry experiments were performed in the near field of the turbulent flow past a square cylinder. A classical Reynolds decomposition was performed on the resulting velocity fields into a time invariant mean flow and a fluctuating velocity field. This fluctuating velocity field was then further decomposed into coherent and residual/stochastic fluctuations. The statistical distributions of the second and third invariants of the velocity-gradient tensor were then computed at various streamwise locations, along the centreline of the flow and within the shear layers. These invariants were calculated from both the Reynolds-decomposed fluctuating velocity fields and the coherent and stochastic fluctuating velocity fields. The range of spatial locations probed incorporates regions of contrasting flow physics, including a mean recirculation region and separated shear layers, both upstream and downstream of the location of peak turbulence intensity along the centreline. These different flow physics are also reflected in the velocity gradients themselves with different topologies, as characterised by the statistical distributions of the constituent enstrophy and strain-rate invariants, for the three different fluctuating velocity fields. Despite these differing flow physics the ubiquitous self-similar ‘tear drop’-shaped joint probability density function between the second and third invariants of the velocity-gradient tensor is observed along the centreline and shear layer when calculated from both the Reynolds decomposed and the stochastic velocity fluctuations. These ‘tear drop’-shaped joint probability density functions are not, however, observed when calculated from the coherent velocity fluctuations. This ‘tear drop’ shape is classically associated with the statistical distribution of the velocity-gradient tensor invariants in fully developed turbulent flows in which there is no coherent dynamics present, and hence spectral peaks at low wavenumbers. The results presented in this manuscript, however, show that such ‘tear drops’ also exist in spatially developing inhomogeneous turbulent flows. This suggests that the ‘tear drop’ shape may not just be a universal feature of fully developed turbulence but of turbulent flows in general.

Dynamics of a low Reynolds number turbulent boundary layer

2000 ◽  
Vol 404 ◽  
pp. 87-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
JUAN M. CHACIN ◽  
BRIAN J. CANTWELL
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Velocity Gradient ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Joint Probability ◽  
Gradient Tensor ◽  
Velocity Gradient Tensor

The generation of Reynolds stress, turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation in the turbulent boundary layer simulation of Spalart (1988) is studied using the invariants of the velocity gradient tensor. This technique enables the study of the whole range of scales in the flow using a single unified approach. In addition, it also provides a rational basis for relating the flow structure in physical space to an appropriate statistical measure in the space of invariants. The general characteristics of the turbulent motion are analysed using a combination of computer-based visualization of flow variables together with joint probability distributions of the invariants. The quantities studied are of direct interest in the development of turbulence models. The cubic discriminant of the velocity gradient tensor provides a useful marker for distinguishing regions of active and passive turbulence. It is found that the strongest Reynolds-stress and turbulent-kinetic-energy generating events occur where the discriminant has a rapid change of sign. Finally, the time evolution of the invariants is studied by computing along particle paths in a Lagrangian frame of reference. It is found that the invariants tend to evolve toward two distinct asymptotes in the plane of invariants. Several simplified models for the evolution of the velocity gradient tensor are described. These models compare well with several of the important features observed in the Lagrangian computation. The picture of the turbulent boundary layer which emerges is consistent with the ideas of Townsend (1956) and with the physical picture of turbulent structure set forth by Theodorsen (1955).

Effects of pressure gradient on the evolution of velocity-gradient tensor invariant dynamics on a controlled-diffusion aerofoil at

2019 ◽  
Vol 868 ◽  
pp. 584-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Wu ◽  
S. Moreau ◽  
R. D. Sandberg
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Velocity Gradient ◽  
Stream Velocity ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Gradient Tensor ◽  
Velocity Gradient Tensor ◽  
Controlled Diffusion ◽  
Mean Pressure ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

A weakly compressible flow direct numerical simulation of a controlled-diffusion aerofoil at $8^{\circ }$ geometrical angle of attack, a chord-based Reynolds number of $Re_{c}=150\,000$ and a Mach number of $M=0.25$ based on the free-stream velocity relevant to many industrial applications was conducted to improve the understanding of the impact of the pressure gradient on the development of turbulent structures. The evolution equations for the two invariants $Q$ and $R$ of the velocity-gradient tensor have been studied at various locations along the aerofoil chord on its suction side. The shape of the mean evolution of the velocity-gradient tensor invariants were found to vary strongly when the flow encounters favourable, zero and adverse pressure gradients and as well for different wall-normal locations. The coupling between the pressure-Hessian tensor and the velocity-gradient tensor was found to be the major factor that causes these changes and is greatly influenced by the mean pressure-gradient condition and the wall-normal distance. Striking differences exist from the mean trajectories of this coupling at least in the log layer and outer layer subject to different mean pressure gradients. The nonlinearity and viscous diffusion effects keep their respective invariant characters regardless of the pressure-gradient effects and wall-normal locations. The wall and the mean adverse pressure gradient were both found to suppress the vortical stretching features of the flow. These features are of great importance for the development of future turbulence models on wall-bounded flows, especially on surfaces with significant curvature such as cambered aerofoils and blades for which significant mean pressure gradients exist.

scholarly journals Genesis and evolution of velocity gradients in near-field spatially developing turbulence

2017 ◽  
Vol 815 ◽  
pp. 295-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Paul ◽  
G. Papadakis ◽  
J. C. Vassilicos
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Strain Rate ◽  
Velocity Gradient ◽  
Gradient Tensor ◽  
Velocity Gradient Tensor ◽  
Grid Element ◽  
Velocity Gradients ◽  
Developing Flow ◽  
Vorticity Vector ◽  
Spatially Developing Flow

This paper investigates the dynamics of velocity gradients for a spatially developing flow generated by a single square element of a fractal square grid at low inlet Reynolds number through direct numerical simulation. This square grid-element is also the fundamental block of a classical grid. The flow along the grid-element centreline is initially irrotational and becomes turbulent further downstream due to the lateral excursions of vortical turbulent wakes from the grid-element bars. We study the generation and evolution of the symmetric and anti-symmetric parts of the velocity gradient tensor for this spatially developing flow using the transport equations of mean strain product and mean enstrophy respectively. The choice of low inlet Reynolds number allows for fine spatial resolution and long simulations, both of which are conducive in balancing the budget equations of the above quantities. The budget analysis is carried out along the grid-element centreline and the bar centreline. The former is observed to consist of two subregions: one in the immediate lee of the grid-element which is dominated by irrotational strain, and one further downstream where both strain and vorticity coexist. In the demarcation area between these two subregions, where the turbulence is inhomogeneous and developing, the energy spectrum exhibits the best$-5/3$power-law slope. This is the same location where the experiments at much higher inlet Reynolds number show a well-defined$-5/3$spectrum over more than a decade of frequencies. Yet, the$Q{-}R$diagram, where$Q$and$R$are the second and third invariants of the velocity gradient tensor, remains undeveloped in the near-grid-element region, and both the intermediate and extensive strain-rate eigenvectors align with the vorticity vector. Along the grid-element centreline, the strain is the first velocity gradient quantity generated by the action of pressure Hessian. This strain is then transported downstream by fluctuations and strain self-amplification is activated a little later. Further downstream, vorticity from the bar wakes is brought towards the grid-element centreline, and, through the interaction with strain, leads to the production of enstrophy. The strain-rate tensor has a statistically axial stretching form in the production region, but a statistically biaxial stretching form in the decay region. The usual signatures of velocity gradients such as the shape of$Q{-}R$diagrams and the alignment of vorticity vector with the intermediate eigenvector are detected only in the decay region even though the local Reynolds number (based on the Taylor length scale) is only between 30 and 40.

A study of the evolution and characteristics of the invariants of the velocity-gradient tensor in isotropic turbulence

1999 ◽  
Vol 381 ◽  
pp. 141-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDREW OOI ◽  
JESUS MARTIN ◽  
JULIO SORIA ◽  
M. S. CHONG
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Gradient ◽  
Phase Plane ◽  
Isotropic Turbulence ◽  
Invariant Space ◽  
Gradient Tensor ◽  
Velocity Gradient Tensor ◽  
Conditional Mean ◽  
Kinematic Vorticity ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Local Value

Since the availability of data from direct numerical simulation (DNS) of turbulence, researchers have utilized the joint PDFs of invariants of the velocity gradient tensor to study the geometry of small-scale motions of turbulence. However, the joint PDFs only give an instantaneous static representation of the properties of fluid particles and dynamical Lagrangian information cannot be extracted. In this paper, the Lagrangian evolution of the invariants of the velocity gradient tensor is studied using conditional mean trajectories (CMT). These CMT are derived using the concept of the conditional mean time rate of change of invariants calculated from a numerical simulation of isotropic turbulence. The study of the CMT in the invariant space (RA, QA) of the velocity-gradient tensor, invariant space (RS, QS) of the rate-of-strain tensor, and invariant space (RW, QW) of the rate-of-rotation tensor show that the mean evolution in the (Σ, QW) phase plane, where Σ is the vortex stretching, is cyclic with a characteristic period similar to that found by Martin et al. (1998) in the cyclic mean evolution of the CMT in the (RA, QA) phase plane. Conditional mean trajectories in the (Σ, QW) phase plane suggest that the initial reduction of QW in regions of high QW is due to viscous diffusion and that vorticity contraction only plays a secondary role subsequent to this initial decay. It is also found that in regions of the flow with small values of QW, the local values of QW do not begin to increase, even in the presence of self-stretching, until a certain self-stretching rate threshold is reached, i.e. when Σ≈0.25 〈QW〉1/2. This study also shows that in regions where the kinematic vorticity number (as defined by Truesdell 1954) is low, the local value of dissipation tends to increase in the mean as observed from a Lagrangian frame of reference. However, in regions where the kinematic vorticity number is high, the local value of enstrophy tends to decrease. From the CMT in the (−QS, RS phase plane, it is also deduced that for large values of dissipation, there is a tendency for fluid particles to evolve towards having a positive local value of the intermediate principal rate of strain.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document